Ahead of the final group games at the World Cup,a lot of talk has been centered on which teams will make it through their groups and into the round of 16.
Agentina, Chile, Netherlands, Belgium, Costa Rica and Colombia have already secured places in the next round with maximum points from their opening games.
Not all the groups are that strightforward, however, with all the teams in Group G, which includes the Black Stars still in with a chance of qualifying.
In light of the many controversies which may arise from the final round of matches, we take a look at FIFA’s criteria for deciding the determining group standings in the event that teams are tied on points.
The ranking of each team in each group shall be determined as follows:
a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches
b) goal difference in all group matches
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings shall be determined as follows:
d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned
e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned
f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned
g) drawing of lots by the Fifa Organising Committee.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana